The Blue German Shepherd is a medium-sized and newly recognized variation of the Standard German Shepherd with a bright blue-grey, blue tan or blue sable coat and striking blue eyes.
This color variation is considered to be somewhat rare. You may not have yet known about the Blue German Shepherd; this is because he was not recognized as a purebred dog until latterly. Many of us know of the old German Shepherd, the one that is tan and has a black saddle.
A blue GSD is a rare dog that you won’t see most of the time. This is because blue is not considered to be a German Shepherd color, and therefore, breeders rarely breed Liver or blue GSDs.
You may call this the fault of confirmation. You cannot make any kind of Blue GSD in a conformation dog show. But you do not have to worry about this if you have or are thinking to get a Blue German Shepherd as a pet.
Having a blue coat does not mean that the Blue GSD is any weaker compared to the rest that may be considered “normal. “
The German Shepherd has become a famous dog among Americans and all over the world. Anyone that gets to meet with a German Shepherd gets to love him for his loving nature.
So, how is the Blue German Shepherd different from the tan German Shepherd that we have all seen or heard of at a point in our life. In this article, we are going to dive deep into the Blue German Shepherd and dissect all that you need to know about this cute and lovable dog.
Table of Contents
How Blue German Shepherd Looks?
The Blue GSD is just like any other German Shepherd but with a different color variation of the original GSD. These pooches are unusual in that they have a unique blue-gray coat and blue eyes. There are three variations of the Blue German Shepherd.
German Shepherd colors are affected by genetics. The Blue German Shepherd has two genes that determine what color he is going to be, and the appearance he is going to have.
In this, the 1st gene determines the color of the fur and the 2nd gene dictates whether a dog is going to have markings or not, and how they are to be distributed on the coat of the dog.
- The Blue and sable variation.
- The blue and black variation.
- Blue and tan variation.
Where Do Blue German Shepherds Come From?
A blue GSD is created when the dog inherits a double blue recessive gene. The Liver German Shepherd is another color variation of the GSD that is also produced in the same way.
This happens when a German Shepherd inherits two recessive liver genes. What sets these two colors apart is their visual appearance. The blue gene only partly blocks the black genes, while the liver gene entirely blocks the black gene. What this means is that the Blue GSD can have lighter black markings while the liver one has no black marking at all.
Appearance and Characteristics of Blue German Shepherd
| Features | Detail |
| Height | Males: 24-26, Females: 22-24 inches |
| Weight | Males: 65-90 pounds, Females: 50-75 pounds |
| Lifespan | 9 – 13 years |
| Purpose | A working and companion dog |
| Breed type | Herding |
| Best for | Experienced dog owners and families |
| Grooming Needs | moderate grooming |
| Color variation | Can be blue or a combination of blue with tan/black or sable |
| Temperament | Bold, tenacious, intelligent, energetic, affectionate, devoted, loving and protective |
| Other Names | Blue Deutscher Schäferhund, Blue GSD |
| Health Issues | skin allergies, eye problems, and Joint Dysplasia |
Physical Appearance of Blue German Shepherd
The first opinion that you may have on first seeing a German Shepherd is that of a pooch that is alert, well-muscled, and full of life. These dogs are longer than they are tall with smooth curves other than having angles.
Their heads are chiseled with intelligent eyes and upright, triangular ears. The color of the eyes is just like you have guessed, blue. Despite this, they may also have yellow or amber eyes.
These eyes are usually medium and almond-shaped, being set a little obliquely. The muzzle of the Blue GSD is long and strong with a black nose. Most of these features not only apply to the Blue German Shepherd but to other German shepherd norms.
Blue German Shepherd Coat Appearance
There are usually two types of German Shepherd coats and a long and short-haired coat. The Long-haired GSDs have a double coat, which means that the undercoat is soft and thin while the topcoat is wavy and more reliable.
Short-haired Shepherds do not have an undercoat, and their hair falls right out. The coat of the Blue German Shepherd may look to be washed out. In other examples, you may have a blue Shepherd that has a coat that is blue and tan or blue and sable.
Blue GSD Shedding
The blue recessive gene that we talked about does not affect the quality or type of coat. What this means is that the Blue German Shepherd sheds like the regular GSD. If the Blue GSD is short-haired, he may shed more due to the lack of an undercoat.
Personality and Temperament of Blue German shepherd
The color of the Blue GSD does affect their behavior or personality in any way. They have a personality that is very appealing to many people, and that has made them be favorites for anyone that experiences them.
These dogs are very loyal, fearless, brave, loving, and nothing more than adorable to the owner and should not be hostile to anyone. However, you should note that they can be very possessive with their owners and are kind of aloof towards strangers.
This is a trait that they get back from their herding day, and if they do not have a flock to herd, this character may be directed towards humans, especially kids. But with the right training, you quickly get rid of this trait.
When left alone for long periods they could suffer from anxiety and sometimes even be fatal. This is something you should consider if you have somewhat of a busy schedule.
Blue German Shepherd is Good For Family Dog?
This is an excellent dog for families as they get well with children and other pets. The Blue German Shepherd is a good-natured family dog, and his alert nature makes him an excellent watchdog.
They are a popular choice for people from many walks of life, and although you do not see them much in the military or the police, that does not mean that they cannot be trained to do the same job done by their cousins.
How to Get Blue German Shepherd Puppy?
- You could find a breeder that deliberately breeds a line of Shepherds with a diluted blue gene pool.
- And the second option is that you could find a breeder that has an accidental Blue Shepherd in a litter and would be looking for someone that could take the “defective” puppy home. They are not defective, so you could as well make a deal before someone else grabs the opportunity.
- There is also the option of adoption, which is the best option for getting a dog.
Some people may see this dog as a weaker canine and give up on him, and in the process, the pup ends up in a dog shelter or rescue. You could also be in luck and find an adult one that people had no idea how to raise, and you could as well give them a new home. The German Shepherd Club of America has a list of rescue centers that where you could find yourself a new furry friend.
Grooming Needs of Blue German Shepherd
The coat type will affect this dog’s grooming requirements. Whether he is long-haired or short-haired, he will have a different grooming requirement. You should nevermore clip the haired a long-haired GSD as you could interfere with their heat regulation.
A German Shepherd’s coat should be brushed 3 to 4 times in a week, getting rid of loose hair and keeping the fur shiny. Brushing is essential because this dog sheds throughout the year and blows out his coat twice a year, but you will need to have the right tools to do it.
Do not bath your Blue Shepherd too often as this could make the skin dry, irritated, and flaky. Bath your GSD only when he has started to smell or when he has spent his day pounding in the dirt. Use a shampoo that is formulated for the dog’s skin and never use human shampoo.
Also, do not forget to clip the dog’s nails and brush his teeth regularly for proper dental hygiene. Make an effort to calm your dog when you are cutting his nails and reward him for every time he stays calm and relaxed.
The ears will also need to be frequently checked and cleaned to remove any bad odor and reduce the risk of infections. Dip a cotton bud into an ear cleaning solution, after which you will use it to clean the dog’s ears. Make sure that you are cleaning the outer area as you do not want to damage the dog’s ears. Visit a groomer if you are not comfortable doing it by yourself.
Exercising and Training Needs of A Blue German Shepherd
German Shepherds were bred for work and require lots of exercise. Once they are fully grown, they will need to have a least 2 hours of training every day. Switch between running, playtime, and walks.
However, for much younger puppies, you should stick to the 5-minutes rule. Meaning that every time your puppy gets a month older add 5 minutes of exercise a day until he reaches maturity.
So, for example, if your puppy is is nine months old, the puppy should be exercised for only 45 minutes. Failure to provide the dog with the correct amount of exercise will reduce his state of life, lowering his lifespan. However, if you are not a huge exercise fan, then you can use play around with your dog as you both work out.
In this way, you both benefit and create a better bond between you and your dog. As much as Blue German shepherds require physical stimulation, mental stimulation is also necessary too.
Playing games such as hide and seek, fetch, and even hide and sniff may be an excellent way to entertain yourself as your dog gets the mental stimulation that he needs. Such games could help your dog in improving his natural skills such as sniffing
Training your dog can be a very challenging task even for a person that has experience doing it, and it is not for the faint-hearted. However, just like we mentioned before, the German Shepherd is a knowledgeable dog. Because they were bred to be working dogs, training these dogs will be easy as long as you give them the right encouragement.
Blue German Shepherd Health Issues
Genetic issues
The selective breeding and inbreeding of the Blue German shepherd of the same bloodline may cause some mutations and genetic issues. These issues are such as Degenerative Myelopathy, which is a slow and painless degradation of the spinal and can be fatal in the long run.
Hip Dysplasia
This is an inherited condition where the bone at the thigh fails to fit the hip joint snugly. Some dogs will show signs of pain on one or both of the rear legs, but others may not show any indication that they are not comfortable. To diagnose the best thing you can do is to get an x-ray screening. As the dog gets older, he may develop arthritis.
How to Feed Blue German Shepherd?
Several factors affect how much you can feed your dog;
- age
- size
- Activity levels
- Metabolism
Blue German Shepherd does well on three kinds of food, whether they are wet, dry, or raw meals. Whatever you choose to feed him, make sure that you cater to his calorie requirements. They will need about 1200 calories in one day, with the majority of that food being protein.
Changes in the diet of your dog could upset the pooch’s stomach, especially if they are still puppies. Some German shepherds do exceptionally well with raw feeds that are also known as BARF.
A healthy diet will consist mainly of protein as the main ingredient. The protein should be in high amounts and should be meat protein. Protein is essential as it helps in muscle conditioning of the German Shepherd. Fats are also necessary for keeping the coat of the Blue GSD soft.
It should also contain chondroitin or glucosamine, or both that help prevent help hip dysplasia. Many dog lovers try to avoid foods that have grains when they want to prevent allergies in their dogs. Fatty acids help in keeping the coat healthy and shiny.
Omega-3 fatty acids also promote mobility and a healthy heart. Some good sources of fatty acids include salmon and flaxseeds. Raw fish is a good source of proteins, fat, and omega-3. Also, remember to make sure that your dog has enough water to keep him hydrated.
Pros and Cons of Blue German Shepherd
| Pros | Cons |
| Working Dogs | Heavy Shedders |
| Intelligent | Health issues |
| Pleasing look | need to train on daily basis |
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